FORT COLLINS – Colorado State released its first depth chart today, and there were a few surprises contained within it. And they started with an area that had been taken for granted — the defensive alignment.

Early on it was made known CSU’s defense was switching from a 4-3 to a 3-4 this season. Only, on the depth chart these are the front seven positions on defense: LDE, DT, DT, RDE, SLB, MLB, WLB.

Shaquil Barrett — a preseason all-conference selection at linebacker — is listed as a right defensive end, along with Broderick Sargent and Steven Michel.

CSU coach Jim McElwain has already said that Barrett, the team’s leading tackler from a year ago, would play both standing up and with his hand in the ground. The suggestion, however, was that he’d be a linebacker with the ability to put his hand in the ground, thus the team plays a 3-4.

While the secondary has stolen coach Jim McElwain’s heart (which we’ll get into tomorrow), the linebackers are the group that defines the defense, a group that never had to prove its worth to any coach, player or fan because everyone already knew the talent oozing from it.

Still, CSU must effectively replace Mike Orakpo, the team’s third-leading tackler from a year ago, who was dismissed from the program in the summer. But with good up-and-coming athletes to compliment returning studs, there should be few problems getting that done.

FORT COLLINS – The suspense about whether redshirt freshman defensive lineman John Froland will play this weekend was removed on Tuesday when he returned to full practice.

Froland, who had been recovering from an ankle injury, was working with the second-team defense but during games CSU coaches rotate as many defensive lineman in as they can, so where Froland practices is of little concern. Froland was hurt during the San Jose State game on Oct. 1.

FORT COLLINS – Colorado State junior starting tackle Joe Caprioglio will undergo an MRI today to determine the extent of a knee injury he suffered on Saturday against Colorado.

“We’re still looking at it,” coach Steve Fairchild said today. “And even that, when it comes back we’ll talk about what we can do. Sometimes with linemen there’s a few more options than, say, a receiver. But we’ll know more as the week goes on.”

Fairchild did rule Caprioglio out for Saturday’s game at Utah State. Defensive tackle Nuku Latu suffered a knee injury in the Colorado game, and is questionable to play against the Aggies.

Meanwhile, Fairchild was ready to say fullback Austin Gillmore’s season is over. Gillmore suffered a torn ACL during the Sept. 10 game against Northern Colorado. Also he said Broderick Sargent, lost for the season with a torn ACL, will have surgery on the knee this month.

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FORT COLLINS – Colorado State pushed its record to 2-0 with a 33-14 win over Northern Colorado on Saturday. It’s the first time CSU has gotten out to a 2-0 record since 2009. Unfortunately, that season ended 3-9. But enough about that.

A look back at the good and the not-so-good from Week 2

ENCOURAGING

Off to a fast start: The Rams offense sloshed out of the gate in the season opener against New Mexico with just three first downs, 69 total yards and no points. That was not the case against UNC. CSU’s offense came out strong, putting points on the board early and often. It scored on four of five first half possessions. And on Saturday it wasn’t just the offense getting off to a good start. Ivory Herd’s interception on UNC’s first drive of the game was a jump-start for the defense as well. The CSU defense carried that momentum throughout the first half in which it didn’t allow a point.

Rushing numbers matching effort: CSU coach Steve Fairchild said he was happy with the overall execution of the running game in the first week, and with a couple of tweaks the actual yardage would improve. He was right. CSU’s running game chewed up a bunch of yards. And though Raymond Carter (100 yards, 2 TD) and Chris Nwoke (53 yards, 1 TD) were the workhorses, Derek Good ran with energy on his way to 81 yards as well.

Waking up the wideouts: There were issues schematically that contributed to CSU largely going away from its wideouts in Week 1. But an added emphasis in practice led to a more focused, organized effort to get wide receivers involved in the passing game.

DISCOURAGING

Injuries: Four key players went down with significant injuries. Add those to defensive end Broderick Sargent, who was lost for the season in the first week with a torn ACL. In an early season that is starting to show signs of promise, that’s been the most disappointing – and persistent – development.

Third down percentage: In two games, the CSU offense is 8-of-27 (29 percent) on third down, which includes 4-of-14 against UNC. A low third-down conversion rate was a problem last season and it has not subsided through the first two games this year. Head coach Steve Fairchild promises to do all he can to help the offense get a handle on the issue.

Lack of a finishing touch: For whatever reason, and there were multiple given by various players and coaches afterward, CSU lost its edge in the second half. It’s the kind of collapse that will get it beat when the competition ramps up. All said they know that can’t continue if they are to be as successful as they hope they can be.

INT party: For all of the strides quarterback Pete Thomas has made from his freshman to sophomore season, one problem area is still sticking around – interceptions. He threw three against Northern Colorado, and has more picks this season (3) than touchdown tosses (2).

As such, Sargent’s season is over, only shortly before it began. He’ll have surgery soon.

“I feel really bad for the kid,” CSU defensive coordinator Larry Kerr said. “You talk about as hard a worker on our football team, Broderick Sargent is right at the top. He’s just a quality kid on and off the field. He’s such a great example to all of our players and even to us as coaches the way he goes about his business. He’s the most talented pass rusher on our football team.”

ALBUQUERQUE — The last four minutes of the first half provided 14 points as both offenses woke up from first-half long slumps to put a touchdown each on the board. Colorado State is struggling to find a consistent running game (10 carries, 41 yards), but has started to show some rays of hope through the air.

CSU quarterback Pete Thomas has thrown for 128 yards, including a 33-yard touchdown pass to tight end Crockett Gillmore. At the time (1:32 in the second quarter) it gave the Rams a 7-3 lead. But Lobos quarterback Tarean Austin drove New Mexico back down the field and tossed a 27-yard touchdown pass of his own, putting the cap on a 7-play, 80-yard drive that took just 1:20 to get done.

In the first half defensive end Broderick Sargent left with a leg injury. He has not returned.

Here’s a way to get everyone’s minds off the Rams’ 12-game losing streak and nonexistent running game: New “old” unis. Colorado State introduced its the retro “pumpkin and alfalfa” jerseys (school colors from 1893-1945) today at Steve Fairchild’s weekly press conference.

Will Cam be renamed Caggie?

While not too many people are around who recall the orange jerseys last seen right after the end of World War II, Saturday’s jerseys look more like University of Miami orange and green than the hideous “pumpkin and alfalfa” worn by the men’s basketball team against Wyoming last winter.

Unlike the basketball jerseys, as well as the standard green home jerseys, the orange throwbacks have ample contrast to read the jersey numbers from afar (or with binoculars).

The occasion is the traditional Ag Day. The orange uniforms were in the planning stages since the basketball team wore them last winter. Also announced Monday, as a result of the fan vote, the Rams will wear their white pants instead of the green or orange ones. It’s a great looking combination.

It is sad, however, that during maybe the lowest time in CSU football memory, one of its brightest stars of the past will be honored. Saturday’s 2 p.m. kickoff with Idaho represents Keli McGregor Day, the former All-America tight end and president of the Colorado Rockies. He died tragically of heart-related issues in April.

His godson, tight end Ben Tedford wears No. 88 in McGregor’s memory. Tedford and defensive end Broderick Sargent, the first winner of the scholarship in McGregor’s memory, were the designated uniform models at the press conference and said they both loved the new jerseys.

In the sixth part of a series of look-aheads at Colorado State’s 2010 season, broken down by units, we look at the Rams defensive linemen …

DEFENSIVE LINE

Newcomers: Let’s see if freshman Crockett Gillmore can repeat last week’s scrimmage heroics. Rams are also ready getting major contributions from other true freshman, Nordly Capi and Charles Green at end. Redshirt freshman Te’jay Brown will rotate in at tackle.

Biggest losses: James Morehead was the only graduation loss of note.

Strengths: Interior line stocked with veterans Guy Miller and Ty Whittier. Despite personnel disappearing at ends for the start of camp, it’s the most pleasant surprise of August. A good move was bringing Davis Burl from linebacker to end. Broderick Sargent has found a home after meandering about both offense and defense. More help will arrive when C.J. James recovers from a knee procedure.

Weaknesses: The defensive ends need to add some bulk.

What to look for: This group will improve as the season goes on. Big test comes immediately against Colorado’s made-for-NFL offensive linemen.

Kensler joined The Denver Post in 1989 and has covered a variety of beats, including Colorado, Colorado State, golf, Olympics and the Denver Broncos. His brush with greatness: losing in a two-on-two pickup basketball game at Ohio State against two-time Heisman Trophy winner Archie Griffin.

Terry Frei graduated from Wheat Ridge High School in the Denver area and has degrees in history and journalism from the University of Colorado-Boulder. He worked for the Rocky Mountain News while attending CU and joined the Post staff after graduation. He has also worked at the Oregonian in Portland, Ore., and The Sporting News. His seventh book, March 1939: Before the Madness, was issued in February 2014.